Yael’s Center of Healing

My friend recommend me Yael studio a few weeks ago. She lost so much weight and looked amazing. skinny and toned. I hate exercising and trying to lose weight for ever so I decided to give it a try and Im so happy I did. She is an incredible trainer. She has a great energy and she really pushes you to get what you need out of the workout. She’s very caring and giving you so many good tips on how to eat right. Highly recommended!

You have one time to burn me!
This woman is only out for her money. Please don’t come here. If you do not confirm your appointment on her timetable, forget about securing your appointment. She is a horrible business woman who cannot be taken seriously or respected.
I bought my mother a gift certificate for a massage for her birthday in December. She wanted to redeem it on several different occasions, but only found time in June. June, people… that is how busy and swamped my mother is. She deserves a f&*%ing massage from a compassionate person. Obviously this is not the place. Yael cancelled her well-​earned/​deserved massage at the last minute because she had to do some unimportant bullsh&t in her own life (great business woman… can’t even come up with a good lie?) and re-​scheduled for a week later. When my mother arrived (again) at the location, she already booked someone else in her timeslot because my mother did not confirm with her the day before. EVEN THOUGH THEY BOTH AGREED TO IT!!!
She pretends to be nice, but she is a snake. You’ve been warned. I can’t stand her. Never, ever, ever will I do business with her again. I work too hard for my money and can’t patronize someone who thinks that their time is more important than yours.

I was referred to her by a friend, but it was an AWFUL experience. I didn’t know that she was by appointment only, but that doesn’t excuse the way that I was treated. I knocked on the door and waited for a minute before she opened the door looking hurried. She cracked the door and looked at me then said «The car place is next door!» And started to close the door. I told her that I was there for a massage and she snapped «Appointment only!» Before quickly shutting the door. Now I am a group exercise instructor and was in my sweats when I went there. I’m going to OPTIMISTICALLY blame that for the way that I was treated. A sign on the door saying «BY APPOINTMENT ONLY» would help a lot. That notwithstanding, the way that I was treated by someone who I was going to pay money for a service was unacceptable.

Yael is the real deal. I found her when I moved to the Valley and was in NEED of a good healing massage. I read other reviews and everyone highly recommended her so I thought I’d give her a try. After the first massage I was hooked and have been seeing her for a year and half. The quality of massage I get from Yael far surpasses what I’ve EVER gotten at a foo foo place like Burke Williams. She focuses on your problems areas (she really works on the huge knots in my neck and lower back) and puts you in a deep relaxation mode. She does a combination of swedish, hot stone, and aromatherapy which I absolutely love. My husband and I even started doing yoga with her and it’s definitely improved our sleep and overall well being. She also gives you a nice discount if you purchase multiple massages/​yoga sessions. I should mention she’s moved to a different location. It’s a much bigger space (no more creepy hallway). Here’s the new address:
Yael’s Center of Healing
5940 ½ Laurel Canyon Blvd
Valley Village CA 91 607
Don’t waste your money on shady massage places in the Valley. Go see Yael if you want to learn how to take better care of your body and feel great!

I feel like such a horrible person because I’m writing a non-​raving review about a massage for what seems to be a beloved yoga establishment. I almost didn’t write the review because part of me was thinking «I must be the problem!»… But here goes.
I should mention the center is in an odd little shopping center in Studio City. It’s inside the main building, down a mostly unlabeled creepy dark corridor. The lobby of the center is nice enough. Warmly lit and inviting. But it’s also pretty small (cozy?).
The first problem (I was willing to let go of the creepy shopping center and tiny lobby) was that Yael was running late. My 1pm appointment didn’t actually get started until 1:15. She did quickly pop out from her yoga session, apologize and let me know she was running late.
At this point, I figured out it’s really a one woman show. It had taken me several tries to make an appointment and I then realized why — if Yael is teaching class, there’s no one to answer the phone.
My massage was in the same room as the previous class. It looked like the massage table was just quickly set up in the middle of the room. It was an older table and the padding had been replaced over the years with newer foam pads. She replaced the sheets while I was in the room after she noticed a stain on one of them. The room itself was clean, airy and had nice music playing.
And the final real disappointment — the massage. It wasn’t that good. I didn’t feel relaxed afterwards. I just felt greasy and sore. And the next day, my neck felt bruised where she had been pressing too hard. It was a combination of hot stones and what I think of as classic Swedish massage. The process itself was nice enough. She chatted pleasantly for the first half and then I tried to relax for the rest. She definitely has very strong hands and I have no doubt some people might enjoy her technique.
The final cost was $ 65, which I think it very reasonable for an hour massage. But, sadly, not for one I didn’t enjoy. And I really really wanted to. This is the first time i’ve ever disagreed with a Unilocal rating. :(

Yael has magic hands! After one massage session with Yael my headaches, back pain and stress completely went away. Suddenly, getting cut-​off in traffic didn’t send me into a blind rage. Go see Yael! Your mind and body will thank you.

My new yoga, massage, healthy-​eating, zen goddess. Thanks, fellow Unilocalers!